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Article:
An Often Overlooked Secret of Marketing and Negotiating for Real
Estate Investors
by Jason Van Orden
When you call sellers, what do you say? When you sit down to write
a marketing postcard to find deals, what do you write? When you
go to negotiate price and terms, how do you present it?
These are scary situations and it is not unusual to be at a loss
for words at such times. In fact, you may avoid these situations
all together just so you don’t have to face the overwhelming
fear.
I want to help you erase
that fear and find the words that will give you confidence to call
sellers, write advertising, and present offers. The concept I am
about to present is fundamental in developing a successful marketing
message.
Have you ever read an
ad like this?
“The Braun®
Multiquick Hand Blender offers a 200-watt motor, stainless steel
shaft, five-blade chopper attachment, and aerator head.” (Karen
Thackston 2004)
Why in the world would
I buy the Braun® Multiquick Hand Blender after reading this
description? Why should I care about a 200-watt motor or a stainless
steel shaft? I am sure this is an accurate description of the product’s
features, but why do I care? What if it read like this?
”The Braun®
Multiquick Hand Blender is a priceless tool for any cook with a
busy schedule. Its powerful motor enables you to chop, whip, puree
and blend with lightning speed. Its stainless steel shaft holds
up to years of use without bending or breaking. The Multiquick's
five-blade attachment gives you the ability to finely chop or grate
even the hardest cheeses and nuts with ease. And the specially designed
aerator head incorporates air into the liquids and sauces you blend,
making them light and fluffy. You'll create delicious meals with
ease and be out of the kitchen in record time.” (Karen Thackston
2004)
OK. So if I want to blend
at lightning speed and make my sauces light and fluffy or if I want
to finely chop the hardest of nuts without breaking or bending my
blender, then it sounds like this is the appliance for me.
What was different between
these two descriptions? The first only listed features. The second
communicated the benefits. The first is more about the product.
The second is more about what is in it for me.
A feature is simply an
attribute of a product or service. A benefit is what/how the feature
adds value to the customer. Successful salesmanship communicates
benefits.
Let me give you just
a couple more examples.
“Open 24 Hours”
is a feature.
A benefit that speaks
value to your prospect is, “When your pregnant wife craves
pickles and ice cream at 3 a.m., you know where to get it.”
Here is a real estate
example:
“We buy houses
subject-to” is meaningless. Try this: “I can take over
your payments starting next month and help you avoid paying two
house payments when you move.” That speaks to what the prospect
wants & what keeps him up at night. Communicate your benefit
in a way that brings emotion, fear and desire to the surface.
Now think about what
you tell someone when they ask you what you do. Do you just say,
“I buy houses”? Or do you say something like, “I
buy houses in ten days or less without closing costs or cleanup
for the seller.”
Do you see the difference?
I often say that you are not in the business of buying and selling
houses. When it comes to your customers/clients, when it comes to
marketing, when it comes to negotiating, you are in the business
of stress relief and solving impossible problems. With that in mind,
what are the specific benefits that you offer? Here are five types
of benefits to consider:
1. Convenience: People
love to save time, energy, and effort. Can you make someone’s
life easier and more convenient?
2. Economy: People respond
well to saving money or increasing how much money they have. Show
them the money.
3. Peace of Mind: We
all have a tendency to seek pleasure and avoid pain. People like
to relax. Can you relieve their stress?
4. Ego: Can you appeal
to the human desire for recognition or better image?
5. Fun: People need a
break. People like to form memories. People don’t like to
be bored or constantly work. Can you provide a diversion?
Think about each of these
categories. What benefits can you offer a seller or buyer in each
of these areas? Use meaningful specifics when you write benefits.
Don’t just say that you can buy their house fast. How fast?
How much money can you get them?
To take it one step further,
which of the benefits that you offer are unique to you? The key
to cracking the marketing code and attracting volumes of leads and
deals is to answer this:
“Why should your
prospect do business with you over any and every other option available
to him/her?”
If you have a good answer
to this question, your business, marketing, and negotiation will
become tons easier and you will increase the stream of money into
your bank account significantly. This is the message that you must
communicate.
The answer to this question
lies in the benefits that you offer that are unique to you. This
answer to this question is what is called a Unique Selling Proposition.
By better understanding
and communicating the benefits that you offer, you will become a
powerful salesperson. You will find that your marketing and negotiating
become significantly easier bringing massive returns in your investing.
About
the author:
Jason
Van Orden was the President of the Salt Lake Real Estate Investors
Association in 2004. He also teaches investors marketing systems
to find more deals and make more money with a minimum investment
of their time and money. For more tips on how to market to get motivated
sellers calling and begging to do business with you go to:
http://www.find-real-estate-investing-deals.com/index.htm?article1
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